Mosaic Viruses(Tomato)

Tomato crop in Maharashtra was impacted by attacks of the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), while in Karnataka and other South Indian states the farmers blaming tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) for crop losses.

An Overview of Mosaic Plant Disease

The mosaic plant disease is an umbrella term for a group of virulent diseases that infect various types of foliage. The eponymous mosaic virus causes the condition. The mosaic viruses come from a range of unrelated lineages, and no taxon unites the group. The virus affects many economically significant crops such as tobacco, tomato, cucumber, beet, alfalfa, and so forth. The virus causes a mottled appearance in plants.

Plant viruses may be hard to detect as the symptoms are diverse and akin to nutrient deficiency or herbicide injury. But some of the common mosaic symptoms are –

The most typical sign of mosaic infection is yellow, white or green stripes, streaks or spots on the foliage.
The plant leaves may become wrinkled, curled or puckered.
There will also be visible yellowing of plant veins.
The yield capacity declines, and the plants suffer from stunted growth.
The fruits infected by the mosaic virus may appear mottled and have warty areas on the surface.

What is ToMV?

It belongs to the Virgaviridae family and is closely related to the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
It hosts include tomato, tobacco, peppers, and certain ornamental plants.
It spreads mainly through infected seeds, saplings, agricultural tools.
It would require only a few infected saplings for the virus to take over an entire field in a matter of days.
It can remain dormant in weeds and plant remains around the field, and come back later.

What is CMV?

It has a much larger host pool that includes cucumber, melon, eggplant, tomato, carrot, lettuce etc.
It was identified in cucumber in 1934, which gave the virus its name.
It is spread by aphids which are sap-sucking insects.
It can also spread through human touch, but the chances of that are extremely low.
Conditions of high temperature followed by intermittent rain, which allow aphids to multiply, are conducive to the spread of CMV.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mosaic Viruses(Tomato)

Q1: What are mosaic viruses in the context of tomato crops?

Mosaic viruses are a group of virulent plant diseases that affect various types of foliage, including tomato plants. They cause a mottled appearance on the leaves, with yellow, white, or green stripes, streaks, or spots. The viruses can lead to stunted growth, wrinkled or curled leaves, visible yellowing of veins, and reduced yield capacity. The fruits may also show mottled patterns and warty areas on the surface.

Q2: What is the tomato mosaic virus (ToMV)?

The tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is a specific virus that belongs to the Virgaviridae family and is closely related to the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). It infects tomato plants, as well as tobacco, peppers, and certain ornamental plants. ToMV spreads primarily through infected seeds, saplings, and agricultural tools. It can also remain dormant in weeds and plant remains in the field, allowing it to resurge later.

Q3: What is the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)?

The cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is another type of mosaic virus that has a larger host pool, including cucumber, melon, eggplant, tomato, carrot, lettuce, and more. It was initially identified in cucumber in 1934, which gave it its name. CMV is primarily spread by aphids, sap-sucking insects. While it is possible for CMV to spread through human touch, the chances of transmission are extremely low. Conditions of high temperature followed by intermittent rain, which favor aphid multiplication, are conducive to the spread of CMV.

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Mosaic Viruses(Tomato),